Assembly tool for side frame bearing keys



May 14, 1968 T. L. SWARTZ 3,382,560

ASSEMBLY TOOL FOR SIDE FRAME BEARING KEYS Filed Aug. 1, 1966 v 2 Sheets-Sheet l lNVENT' BY THOMAS L .SWARTZ ATTORNEYS y 4,1968 T. L. SWARTZ ASSEMBLY TOOL FOR SIDE FRAME BEARING KEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Filed Aug. 1, 1966 FIG .3.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oflice 3,382,560 Patented May 14, 1963 3,382,560 ASSEMBLY TOOL FOR SIDE FRAME BEARING KEYS Thomas L. Swartz, Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Timken Roller Bearing Company, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 569,356 4 Claims. (Cl. 29-267) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An assembly tool to hold the head of the bolt securing a key element in the side frame recess so that the bearing seated in the frame jaw cannot escape, the tool being designed not to enter the frame recess if the bolt head is not properly seated.

This invention relates to an assembly tool for frame keys used in railroad journal bearing side frames to prevent the bearing cup from disengaging with the adapter during other than normal operating conditions.

The problem with assembly of frame keys in this most standard side frame in use on railroads is that the keys loosen in service and therefore cannot perform the function required. It is common to find the means for securing the frame key improperly positioned so that loosening easily results.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide an improved assembly tool that will positively overcome the problems of frame key loosening.

It is also an important object of this invention to provide an assembly tool which will insure proper placement of the frame key holding means in the side frame.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in connection with a preferred embodiment which is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a narrow pedestal type side frame which is the most standard side frame in use by the railroad industry, the view showing the frame key in assembled position for retaining the bearing cup;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevational view through the frame pedestal to show the frame key and assembly tool in position for positioning the key securing means;

FIG. 3 is a view taken at line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembly tool herein preferred as seen from the under side; and

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the assembly tool as seen from the top side.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the side frame is shown in fragmentary perspective at and is of a standard AAR narrow pedestal type as is well understood. The frame 10 is provided with a narrow pedestal 11 having an outer jaw 12 and an inner jaw 13 spaced apart to receive the adapter member 14 which mounts the bearing cup 15 in which the usual bearing (not shown) is assembled and retained by the cap 16. The inner jaw 13 provides a socket which is formed with laterally spaced depending side walls 17 and 18 and with a vertical end wall 19 connecting the side walls. The space between the side walls 17 and 18 is closed at the bottom by a horizontal floor 20, and an aperture 21 is formed in the lower portion of end wall 19 to open into alignment with the lower quadrant of the adjacent bearing cup 15. The side frame is a casting and as shown in FIG. 3, the socket in the inner jaw 13 has fillets F at the junctions of the several walls, as well as at the corners of the aperture 21.

The socket of the inner jaw 13 supports a bearing retainer key 22 which is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The key 22 is formed with a channel shaped body 23 having raised side ribs 24 which form a recess to position the head 25 of securing means 26. The means 26 projects downwardly through a body aperture 27 and a matching floor aperture 28 to receive a self-locking nut element 29. The body 23 is integrally formed with an extended lip 30 which is formed with a stop shoulder 31 on its under side to abut the adjacent edge of the floor 20, and it has a curved upper surface 32 which is normally spaced from the bearing cup 15. The key lip extends beneath the cup 15 so as to be in position to intercept and prevent disengagement of the cup and pedestal.

The assembly tool of this invention is shown to advantage in FIGS. 4 and 5. The tool 33 has a unitary body formed of fiat sheet material to provide a handle 34 with a flat pressure arm 35 angled from the handle 34 as shown. The pressure arm 35 is rendered rigid by a side brace 36 which is fillet welded at 37 along the inside angles (FIG. 4) so the outside edges 38 (FIG. 5) will be free of projection. The arm 35 is provided with a positioning block 39 on its upper surface and with a pressure applying pivot 40 on its under surface. In order to clear the pedestal jaw fillets F (FIG. 3) the tool arm 35 is notched at 41 at its leading end and the side brace 36 is formed with a sloped forward or leading edge 42 in the area of the notch 41. The notch 41 and sloped edge 42 are necessary to allow the forward end of the tool to reach into the aperture 21 in the end wall 19 without interference from the fillets F of the casting. In like manner, the width of the side brace is chosen to clear the fillet F between the floor 20 and the right side of the aperture 21, as seen in FIG. 3. In the preferred form shown tool 33 is rigid and will allow pressure to be applied on the arm 35 to hold the pivot 40 under pressure during use thereof.

Turning again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the tool 33 is used to press the head 25 of the securing means 26 into proper position between the side ribs 24 of the key 22 and hold the same during the placement of the self-locking element 29. This operation is performed after the means 26 is dropped into position and the tool 33 has been inserted so that the forward flat edge 43 abuts the end wall 19 and the brace 36 fits between the body 23 and the adjacent edge 21a of the aperture 21 (FIG. 3). Manual pressure applied in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 2) on the tool handle 34 will cause the pivot 40 to act as a fulcrum and bear down on the head 25 as the forward end 35a of the arm 35 serves as a reaction point against the upper edge of the aperture 21 in wall 19.

It is a characteristic of the tool 33 that it will not properly fit into the pedestal jaw 13 unless the head 25 is seated between the ribs 24 of the frame key 22. Thus, there is avoided one of the serious problems of key looseness which occurs when the head 25 is allowed to engage crosswise on the ribs 24 so that the nut 29 cannot be threaded up properly.

There has been shown and described a preferred form of assembly tool for mounting side frame key means. It is understood that equivalent assembly tools are to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly tool for use in holding securing means used in position when mounting a frame key for railroad journal bearing cups in a pedestal side frame having a pedestal jaw formed with spaced vertical walls, a key receiving floor and an aperture opening to the bearing cup; said assembly tool comprising a force applying arm insertable into the pedestal jaw over the frame key, a handle connected to said arm, a pressure applying element carried by said assembly tool in position to bear upon the frame key securing means and a side brace connecting said arm and handle, said side brace and arm having substantially flat surfaces to permit positioning the same between the frame key and pedestal jaw walls.

2. The assembly tool set forth in claim 1 wherein said side brace is formed with a sloped leading edge and said arm is formed with a notch adjacent said sloped leading edge for clearance with the aperture in the pedestal jaw.

3. An assembly tool of the character described for 10- cating and holding the head end of a securing means in position between the side ribs of a frame key body disposed in a pedestal jaw socket defined by spaced vertical side walls, an apertured vertical end wall and a horizontal floor: the assembly tool providing a unitary body comprising an elongated flat pressure arm of less width than the spacing of the vertical side walls of the socket, a manipulating handle connected to one end of said pressure arm, and a brace between said handle and arm located along one elongated side of said arm, said arm having a notch adjacent the other end from said handle and adjacent said brace andsaid brace having a sloping edge adjacent said notch, and said arm carrying a locating surface adjacent said notch and a fulcrum element spaced from said locating surface, said locating surface cooperating with the aperture in the vertical wall and said fulcrum element cooperating with the head end of the securing element to hold the head end between the side ribs of the frame key body.

4. An assembly tool for locating and holding the head of a securing bolt in position between the side ribs of a frame key body disposed in a pedestal jaw socket defined by spaced vertical side walls together with an apertured vertical end wall and a horizontal fioor: said assembly tool comprising a force applying arm insertable into the pedestal jaw between the spaced vertical side walls, a handle connected to said force applying arm and being directed at an angle thereto, said handle manipulating said force applying arm into position of the securing bolt head, and means interconnecting said force applying arm and saidhandle to brace the same against relative movement, said connecting means cooperating with said pedestal jaw walls to locate said assembly tool relative to the securing bolt head.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1903 Egbert 29267 X 

